troubleshooting fuel system

I'm having problems with my 1946 Farmall. The tractor will start, but it will not continously run. Can someone point me towards a good troubleshooting resource ? I obviously suspect something with the fuel system, but I don't have a clue where to start. My local mechanic, who rebuilt the tractor, recently moved away from Colorado to Montana. Now I'm on my own & I need to educate myself. Any help is appreciated. Thanks !

Does it have a sediment bowl with a clear glass, if so you should be able to tell if it has gunk in it. Clean that if it needs it. You may have to get a new screen and gasket. The carburetor may have trash or water in it. Since you are now "own your own" it would be wise to purchase a general service manual or a factory service manual for your specific tractor, there are probably a few still floating around or reprints of same. Good luck.

Thanks. I do own a service manual and some books on tractor restoration, etc... There is a lot of sediment in the fuel glass, so I'll clean that out. Is there a good book on carburetors around ?

Well first off what model is it??? In 1946 Farmall made at least 4 different models and trouble shooting can be a tad different on them. That said I would start by pulling the drain plug out of the bottom of the carb and make sure you get a good steady flow of gas for 5 minutes. Catch the gas so as to see if it has a lot of water or dirt etc in it. If the flow there is not a good steady flow work your way back. If it is a good steady flow run it till it dies then check for a good blue/white spark and post back what you find and we can help you help your self

(quoted from post at 08:52:20 09/26/11) Thanks. I do own a service manual and some books on tractor restoration, etc... There is a lot of sediment in the fuel glass, so I'll clean that out. Is there a good book on carburetors around ?

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oting a lot of sediment in the bowl is a good first step, which means you can skip the flow test described by old. Instead you need to clean your tank. I have good success in cleaning them out by siphoning into milk jugs. First take a full day to think of everything that could be dangerous in working with gasoline and write it all down so that you will be sure to take every imaginable precaution. I use a squeeze bulb transfer siphon with the stiff pick up tube. You can direct it slowly around the tank bottom paying special attention to the tap where the fuel leaves the tank and there may be a screen. Once you are getting no more solids you have it clean and you can pour the clean gas back in.

since you have sediment in the bowl, the carb probably has some trash in it. would hold off on rebuilding the carb until the tank is cleaned--lots of different ways to clean--some pricey, some time consuming..take your pick. after the tank is clean a rebuild is not a bad idea. lots of resources available. buy a good quality kit and take your time. some people luck out by tapping the carb with a hammer HANDLE. I'm usually not that lucky. make sure there isn't an add on inline filter that is clogged, if there is make sure it is supposed to be there, if not get rid of it. most aren't designed for gravity flow. sometimes the fuel line can be clogged as well. start at the tank and check every component, most of these old tractors have screens in the tank, sediment bowl and usually in the carb (not sure about the farmall, been over twenty years since I turned a wrench on one) these need to be cleaned regularly or they clog up as well, if you have rubber line it has been known to look wonderful on the outside but will be bad on the inside. sorry about the long post..hope you get it figured.

"First take a full day to think of everything that could be dangerous in working with gasoline"

"siphoning into milk jugs" This should probably be near the top of the list.

Container not intended for fuel storage.

No vent.

They blow the cap and contents out when dropped.

A child (or a nnalert) may confuse contents with koolaid.

Just my opinion.

Brad Buchanan

Check the fuel inlet fitting in the carb. Some IH tractors had a screen on this fitting. I worked on a IH 424, I think, that the owner was having a intermittent run problem. I did all of the usual stuff. I noticed the fuel line fitting in the carb was weeping a little fuel. I almost did not pull the fitting to install a little Teflon tape to stop the weeping. When I pulled the fitting, I found a screen that was full of trash. I cleaned the screen. The owner of the tractor did not have any further problem. I REALLY lucked out finding this.

Kent

(quoted from post at 12:50:24 09/26/11) Check the fuel inlet fitting in the carb. Some IH tractors had a screen on this fitting. I worked on a IH 424, I think, that the owner was having a intermittent run problem. I did all of the usual stuff. I noticed the fuel line fitting in the carb was weeping a little fuel. I almost did not pull the fitting to install a little Teflon tape to stop the weeping. When I pulled the fitting, I found a screen that was full of trash. I cleaned the screen. The owner of the tractor did not have any further problem. I REALLY lucked out finding this.

Kent

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It's not just SOME IH tractors, but ALL IH tractors. Granted some have had the filter screen ripped off because it was plugged, but guess where that trash will end up then?

(quoted from post at 10:01:01 09/26/11) "First take a full day to think of everything that could be dangerous in working with gasoline"

"siphoning into milk jugs" This should probably be near the top of the list.

Container not intended for fuel storage.

No vent.

They blow the cap and contents out when dropped.

A child (or a nnalert) may confuse contents with koolaid.

Just my opinion.

Brad Buchanan

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would have been surprised if someone hadn't come back with something like this despite the warnings. Must be you didn't really read the post. If you look a little more closely you may note that the instructions involve no storage. "you have it clean and you can pour the gas back in."

Not storing?? Unless you have a few friends around to hold those milk jugs full of gas you are indeed storing it, even if they are sitting on your shop floor.

It would seem to be the safer thing to perhaps find a plastic gas can to put the fuel in while you are working on the gas tank.

Us tractor nuts are getting to be a rare breed and we have to look out for each other. Please have a safe day!!

Sincerely, Brad Buchanan

I found a moth nest in the gas line sceen in the carb, it ran very poorly.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I've also just found a local guy who grew up with tractors all his life & is willing to help me out. I really appreciate your help, and I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Thanks, Again !
Marco